rjungcla@cbnewsd.ATT.COM (R. M. Jungclas) (10/30/89)
Many thanks to those who have submitted votes so far. Individiual
acknowlegdements have been sent for all valid votes.
CALL FOR VOTES
For the creation of
rec.models.rocket (unmoderated).
This is the second and final call for votes for the creation of
"rec.models.rocket" newsgroup. This newsgroup will discuss
the issues for MODEL ROCKETS and HIGH POWER ROCKETS as
described in the proposal below.
The voting period will be from midnight October 16th (24:00 CDT)
until midnight November 15th (24:00 EST). ONLY VOTES THAT ARRIVE
ON THE VOTE-TAKER'S MACHINE DURING THIS INTERVAL WILL BE
COUNTED.
To vote send email to "att!ihlpb!rjungcla" or
"rjungcla@ihlpb.att.com", explicitly indicating your VOTE in
the subject line. I will attempt to individually
acknowledge all votes and will post a "mass acknowledgement"
after tallying the final vote.
Remember ONLY votes MAILED to me will count and that votes
MUST be explicit.
rec.models.rocket PROPOSAL
It is proposed that a newsgroup "rec.models.rocket" be
created for the discussion of any aspect relating to model
rockets OR high power rockets. The purpose of the this
newsgroup would be for exchange of information to anyone
wanting TO BUILD, FLY OR USE model rockets or high power
rockets. It is envisioned that most of the discussions
within this newsgroup would be of a technical or legal
nature unique to these "hobbies."
The remainder of this proposal is broken into three parts:
MODEL ROCKETRY, HIGH POWER ROCKETRY and AMATEUR ROCKETRY.
MODEL ROCKETRY: The term "model rocket" is defined based on
non-metallic structural components, weight, propellant and
total impulse restrictions, electrical ignition, recovery
devices and FACTORY-MADE, solid propellant engines. This
form of rocketry use the well-known "Safety Code" which
permits their LEGAL use in all the states although some
forms of these rockets currently require FAA notification.
(The FAA is the only regulatory yet to approved the new
safety code that went into effect on January 1st, 1987.) The
National Association of Rocketry (NAR) is national
"consumer" organization or this hobby in the United States.
Model rocketry is also available in Canada, Great Britain,
the Soviet Union and other countries.
Model rockets have been around for 31 years. Many of you may
be aware of Estes and MRC model rockets currently available
in most hobby and toy stores or of manufacturers that are
now out of business: Centuri, Cox, MPC, etc..
HIGH POWER ROCKETRY: The term "High Power rocket" refers to
any rocket using model rocket technology (as described
above) except without the weight, propellant and total
impulse restrictions of model rocketry. High power rockets
have been around for 10 years, but only popular within the
past few years. All forms of high power rocketry require
FAA notification and waivers. This is something the the
high power enthusiast would like to change. Tripoli is the
national association for high power rockets.
Manufacturers of High Power kits/engines include Lots of
Crafts/Precision, North Coast Rocketry, U.S. Rockets,
AeroTech and Vulcan.
The first commercial launch vehicle launched from Cape
Canaveral was the LOFT-1. This was a "high power rocket" as
defined above. In addition, off-the-shelf video recorders
and custom built video cameras/transmitters have been
successfully flown. One such flight resulted in a video
transmission that was broadcast on live television.
Significant payloads are realizable to the average person.
AMATEUR ROCKETRY The term "amateur rocketry" refers to all
other non-professional rocket activities. Included in the
last class, are "basement bombers," any attempts to make
homemade engines, and anything using metallic structural
parts. These activities are ILLEGAL without the proper
formalities. Although this newsgroup WILL NOT ADVOCATE
"amateur rocketry," technical discussion on these activities
will be permitted. For example, discussion on how engines
are made would be permitted, but COOKBOOK procedures for
making them would not.
R. Michael Jungclas UUCP: att!ihlpb!rjungcla
AT&T Bell Labs - Naperville, IL. Internet: rjungcla@ihlpb.att.com